SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Mercer outfielder Alyssa Woods and Chattanooga right-hander Taylor Long have been named the Southern Conference softball player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for games from March 18-24. The awards are selected by the league office.
Woods, serving as the team’s leadoff batter, hit .615 over four games as Mercer went 3-1 last week. In a 16-4 win over Georgia State on March 20, the senior went 2-for-3 with a walk and three runs scored. Three days later, the Houston, Texas, native was 4-for-4 with three runs scored and a stolen base as the Bears defeated Wofford, 10-2, in the conference opener for both squads. On March 24, Woods had two hits, one walk, one run and an RBI in a 4-3 victory against the Terriers in game one of the two teams’ doubleheader. In game two, Woods stole a base, scored a run and drew a walk in a 11-8 setback for Mercer.
Long made four appearances, including one start, inside the circle last week for Chattanooga as the Mocs went 4-0. On March 20, the sophomore entered the team’s contest with Jacksonville State in the fourth inning and proceeded to log nine strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings pitched, allowing zero runs in a 3-1 win. Long threw a complete game in a 3-1 victory at Samford on March 23, recording nine strikeouts and allowing one earned run in the win. Later that day, the Calhoun, Georgia, product entered the game in the ninth inning with the game-tying run on second base of a 5-4 contest. Long retired all three batters she faced, including striking out the final batter of the game to secure her first save of the season. Long currently leads the SoCon in wins (10) and strikeouts (91).
Mercer (12-16, 2-1 SoCon) travels to Presbyterian for a doubleheader on March 26, before traveling to Western Carolina (7-15, 0-3) for a weekend series March 29-30. Chattanooga (21-8, 3-0) hosts ETSU (4-17, 0-3) for a three-game series on March 29-30.
Other nominees for player of the week: Hannah Poole (Furman), Kiley McQuillan (UNCG), Brantley Drake (Samford), Addy Keylon (Chattanooga) and Kaytlin Greenwood (Wofford)
Other nominees for pitcher of the week: Sierra Tufts (Furman), Grace Roark (Mercer), Salem Ward (UNCG) and Karley Fuller (Samford)
2024 SoCon Softball Players of the Week
Feb. 12 Tori Hedgecock, Jr., INF, Mercer
Feb. 19 Sara Muir, Jr., 1B/P, ETSU
Feb. 26 Anna White, Sr., 1B, UNCG
March 4 Baileigh Pitts, So., C/INF, Chattanooga
March 11 Brooklynn Maxwell, INF, Sr., UNCG
March 18 Chloe Fabio, 3B, Sr., Furman
March 25 Alyssa Woods, OF, Sr., Mercer
2024 SoCon Softball Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 12 Margaret Axelson, So., Wofford
Feb. 19 Taylor Miller, Fr., Furman
Feb. 26 Maddie Spell, R-Jr., UNCG
March 4 Taylor Long, So., Chattanooga
March 11 Salem Ward, So., UNCG
March 18 Lauralee Scott, Jr., Furman
March 25 Taylor Long, So., Chattanooga